Apparatus for cleaning gas meter surfaces



Jan. 14, 1969 R. F. BARTEL. 3,421,168

APPARATUS FOR CLEANING GAS METER SURFACES Filed Dec. 9, 1966 Sheet of 2 4O 2O l I; If

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INVENTOR. RICHARD F. BARTEL BY WZQALW ATTORNEYS Jan. 14, 1969 R. F. BARTEL 3,421,168

APPARATUS FOR CLEANING GAS METER SURFACES Filed Dec. 9, 1966 Sheet 2 of 2 INVENTOR.

RICHARD F. BARTEL BY A TTORNEYS United States Patent Office 3,421,168 Patented Jan. 14, 1969 3,421,168 APPARATUS FOR CLEANING GAS METER SURFACES Richard F. Bartel, San Diego, Calif., assignor to San Diego Gas & Electric Company, a corporation of California Filed Dec. 9, 1966, Ser. No. 600,831

U.S. CI. -21 Int. Cl. A46b 13/02 9 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE This invention relates generally to cleaning apparatus and more particularly to a novel apparatus for removing gaskets and other extraneous material from components or castings of gas meters and the like.

Local public utility commissions normally require utility companies to periodically remove, test, and repair the meters used by the consumers. In large utility operations many thousands of meters must be so handled each year.

An important aspect of the work is the operation of removing the gaskets and sealing materials from the components of the disassembled meters so that new gaskets may be installed upon reassembly of the meters. Prior to the present invention, the 01d gaskets were removed by hand operations wherein a chisel or similar tool was used to scrape the gaskets from the various surfaces of the meters. Such operations are time consuming and involve high labor costs, particularly when many thousands of meters are involved.

With the foregoing in mind it is accordingly a primary object of this invention to provide apparatus for removing extraneous materials from the components of a meter which eliminate the time consuming and laborious hand operations above referred to.

Another object is to provide a novel apparatus which is capable of removing gaskets and the like from the various components or castings of a meter without requiring any adjustments of the apparatus to accommodate the various components.

More particularly, it is another object, in accordance with the preceding object, to provide an apparatus including novel brush means and casting holding means which cooperate to completely remove the gaskets and the like from the desired surfaces without requiring movement of the particular component or casting once the cleaning operation has begun.

Briefly, these and many other objects and advantages of the invention are attained by providing a frame assembly on which is mounted a brush assembly and means for rotating the brush assembly. A jig assembly is provided for holding the various components or castings of a meter from which gaskets and the like are to be removed. Means are provided for moving the jig assembly whereby a casting to be cleaned is moved into contact with the rotating brush assembly which removes the gaskets from the casting.

Among the features of the invention is the manner in which the brushes of the brush assembly are rotated to insure removal of a gasket without requiring movement or manipulation of the meter casting during the cleaning operation.

Another feature relates to the arrangement of the jig assembly wherein the principal components or castings of a meter may be individually accommodated for a cleaning operation without any adjustment of the jig assembly or other structure.

A better understanding of the invention will now be had by referring to an embodiment thereof, as illustrated in the accompanying drawing, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a fragmentary perspective view of the apparatus of the invention;

FIGURE 2 is an exploded fragmentary view illustrating the principal components or castings of a typical gas meter;

FIGURE 3 is a fragmentary elevation view partly in cross section of a portion of the apparatus of FIGURE 1 and further illustrating the manner in which a meter casting is retained on the apparatus during a cleaning operation;

FIGURE 4 is a fragmentary perspective view of a portion of the apparatus of FIGURE 1 further illustrating the manner in which another component or casting of a meter is retained on the apparatus; and,

FIGURE 5 is a fragmentary perspective view similar to FIGURE 4 illustrating the manner in which still another component or casting of a meter may be retained on the apparatus for a cleaning operation.

Referring first to FIGURE 1, the apparatus of the invention includes a frame assembly shown generally at 10 which includes four angle members 11 through 14 joined by bolts or the like (not shown) to form a rectangular structure as shown. The rectangular structure is adapted to be supported by four leg members, three of which being shown at 15, 16, and 17. The frame assembly further includes a cross member 18 extending between the leg members 16 and 17 in generally parallel relation to the angle member 13. A vertical support member 19 is secured at its lower end to the cross member 18 midway between the leg members 16 and 17 and is also secured to the member 13 and extends above the frame members 11 through 14 as shown for mounting a brush assembly 20 and drive means therefor as will now be described.

The brush assembly 20 includes a pair of spaced brackets 21 and 22 mounted on the support member 19.by bolts such as shown at 23. The outer ends of the brackets 21 and 22 are secured to a bearing assembly 24 for rotatably suporting a vertical shaft 25. A circular plate 26 is secured to the lower bracket 22 by bolts 27 and a central stationary gear 28 is in turn secured beneath the plate 26 by a plurality of bolts one of which being shown at 29. A second circular plate 30 is secured to the lower end of the shaft 25 so as to be rotatably disposed beneath the stationary gear 28. A plurality of circumferentially spaced gears, three of which being shown at 31 through 33, are rotatably mounted on the plate 30 in driving engagement with the central stationary gear 28 for rotating a plurality of brushes, three of which being shown at 34 through 36. In the preferred embodiment four such brushes are provided and are arranged in equidistantly spaced relation to the vertical shaft 25. Further details of the brush assembly 20 will be subsequently described with reference to FIGURE 3.

The means for driving the brushes will now be described. Referring still to FIGURE 1 a pulley wheel 37 is secured to the upper end of the shaft 25 and receives a V-belt 38 mounted on a drive pulley 39 of an electric motor 40. The motor 40 is mounted on the apparatus by means including a plate 41 secured to the upper end of the support member 19 and a plate 42 to which the motor 40 is secured by bolts or the like (not shown). The plates 41 and 42 are pivotally coupled together by a hinge 43 whereby the motor 40 may be moved toward and away from the pulley wheel 37 to properly tension the V-bclt 38. An adjustment screw 44 is threadedly mounted through the plate 41 into engagement with the plate 42 for adjusting the position of the motor 40 and hence the tension on the V-belt 38. In practice it has been found that the motor 40 may have a power rating of approximately one horsepower with ability for reversible shaft rotation.

The apparatus of the invention includes means for holding components to be cleaned and moving the same into contact with the rotatable brushes. Toward that end the apparatus includes a jig assembly shown generally at 45 mounted on the frame assembly 10. The jig assem bly 45 includes a top plate 46, a pair of downwardly extending end plates 47 and 48, and a bottom plate 49 coupled between the end plates 47 and 48 in spaced parallel relation to the top plate 46. The plates 46 through 49 are coupled together by bolts (not shown) to fonn a rigid unitary structure capable of vertical movement as will be subsequently described.

As shown in FIGURE 1 the top plate 46 includes a cut out portion defined in part by a pair of opposed semicircular sidewalls 50 and 51 being spaced apart to define a substantially circular area therebetween. A pair Of parallel sidewalls 52 and 53 extend from the sidewalls 50 and 51 respectively and terminate at an end wall 54 connecting the sidewalls 52 and 53. The cut out portion of the top plate 46 is further defined by a pair of parallel sidewalls 55 and 56 extending from the semicircular sidewalls 50 and 51 generally oppositely to the sidewalls 52 and 53 and terminate at the edge of the top plate 46 as shown. It will be seen that the sidewalls 52 through 56 define a substantially rectangular cut out portion biseeting the circular cut out portion defined by the sidewalls 50 and 51. The end plate 47 of the jig assembly includes a cut out portion defined by a pair of vertical sidewalls 57 and 58 extending downwardly from the sidewalls 55 and 56 respectively and terminating at a bottom wall 59.

A bar 60 may be bolted or similarly secured to the bottom plate 59 of the jig assembly so that the end portions of the bar 60 extend beyond the edges of the plate 49; The end portions of the bar 60 include circular openings 61 and 62 defined therethrough, all for purposes to be described.

A pair of work-positioning members 63 and 64 are bolted to the top plate 46 near the opposite edges thereof proximate to the end plate 47. The function of these and the other above-described features of the ji assembly will become clearer as the description proceeds.

The means for raising and lowering the jig assembly includes a pneumatic piston cylinder unit 65 which is coupled to a cross plate 66 by bolts 67. The plate 66 may be secured between the frame members 12 and 14 by bolts 68. As shown, the bolts 67 retain the pper por i n of the pneumatic unit 65 against the underside of the plate 66 such that a piston rod 69 extends from within the unit 65 above the plate 66 and into coupled relation with the bottom plate 49 of the jig assembly.

As will be understood by those skilled in the art, air under pressure may be conducted from a source (not shown) through a supply line 70 to a valve unit 71 mounted on the support member 19. The valve unit 71 includes a control lever 72 for alternately directing the air through lines 73 and 74 connected to the lower and upper portions respectively of the unit 65 for raising and lowering the jig assembly.

Referring now to FIGURE 2, the principal components or castings of a typical gas meter are illustrated in disassembled relation. A center casting is shown at 75 and includes a substantially cylindrical body portion 76 terminat-ing at opposite ends in substantially circular end surfaces one of which being shown at 77. The casting 75 also includes an extension portion 78 formed integrally therewith along a portion of the outer surface of the cylindrical portion 76 as shown.

The end surface 77 of the casting 75 provides a surface for receiving a gasket 79 which provides means for sealing the connection of an end closure casting 80 on the casting 75. The casting 80 includes a substantially circular flange 81 for seating on the end surface 77 and includes a dished or dome portion 82. The end casting 80 normally includes a generally radially extending housing portion 83 terminating slightly beyond the circular periphery of the casting flange 81. In addition, the casting 80 may include a throat portion 84. It will be understood that the end surface of the casting 75 opposite to the end surface 77 will likewise normally be closed by a casting (not shown) which is a substantial duplicate of the end casting 80.

The center casting 75 further includes a housing portion 85 extending outwardly from the cylindrical body portion 76 and terminating in a substantially rectangular end flange 86. The housing portion 85 is adapted to be closed by a casting 87 having a substantially rectangular end flange 88 for coupling to the flange 86 of the housing portion 85. It will be understood that when the casting 87 is coupled to the flange 86, a suitable gasket 89 or similar sealing material will be disposed between the flanges 86 and 88.

The casting 87 includes a body portion 90 secured within the rectangular flange 88 and also normally includes a pair of cylindrical tubular portions 91 extending outwardly from the flange 88 along the ends respectively of the body portion 90 and extending somewhat beyond the body portion 90 as shown.

The manner in which each of the above-described castings of a meter are accommodated by the jig assembly of the apparatus for cleaning operations will become clearer as the description proceeds.

The details of the brush asembly of FIGURE 1 will be seen more clearly with reference now to FIGURE 3. The lower circular plate 30 is secured to the lower end of the vertical shaft 25 by means of a Washer 92 and a nut 93 so that the plate 30 rotates with the shaft. The gear 31 is press fit or similarly secured onto a shaft 94 which extends through the plate 30 and is rotatably mounted in a bearing 95 held within a retainer 96 bolted to the under-' side of the plate 30. The rotary brush 34 includes a cup member 97 secured to the shaft 93 by nuts 98 and 99 as shown. A plurality of wire bristles 100 are secured within the cup member 97 and extend downwardly in a cone shaped arrangement. It will be understood that the gear 33 and the rotary brush 36 are constructed and arranged as above-described as are each of the rotary brushes which preferably comprise four in number.

FIGURE 3 further illustrates the casting 75 of FIG- URE 2 received on the jig assembly 45 and positioned for a cleaning operation to be described.

FIGURE 4 illustrates the casting 80 of FIGURE 2 received on the jig assembly 45 and FIGURE illustrates the casting 87 received on the jig assembly.

The operation of the invention will now be described with reference first to FIGURE 1. Upon actuating the motor 40 the pulley wheel 37 will be rotated through the connection of the V-belt 38 to rotate the shaft 25 and plate 30. Due to the inter-engagement of the gears 31 through 33 with the stationary central gear 28, it will be seen that each of the rotary brushes rotates about its individual vertical axis in concurrence with revolution of the brushes about a central vertical axis defined by the vertical shaft 25. Thus, for example, it will be seen in FIGURE 3 that the rotary brush 34 will rotate about the vertical axis defined by the shaft 94 while also revolving about the shaft 25. Accordingly, the brushes are capable of contacting and cleaning a member throughout an annular area. As above mentioned, the motor 40 is preferably reversible such that the brushes may be rotated in either direction as desired to effect better celaning and increased brush life.

In order to clean the gasket 79 and other extraneous material from the end surfaces 77 of the casting 75, the casting is simply placed upon the top plate 46 of the jig assembly with the housing portion 85 positioned between the members 63 and 64 of FIGURE 1 and as further shown in FIGURE 3. The valve unit 71 is then actuated to direct air through the air line 73 whereupon the piston rod 69 is raised to move the jig assembly and casting upwardly until the brushes contact the top of the casting as shown in FIGURE 3. Actual operation has demonstrated that the gasketing and sealing material is completely removed from the casting in just a few seconds of contact with the rotating brushes. The valve unit 71 is again actuated to direct the presurized air into the piston cylinder unit 65 through the line 74 wherupon the jig assembly and casting are lowered from the brushes. The opposite end surface of the casting 75 is cleaned in the same manner upon simply turning the casting over and repeating the operation.

As above mentioned, a feature of the invention resides in the construction and arrangement of the jig assembly whereby each of the castings of the meter may be received in the jig assembly without requiring adjustments of any kind. Accordingly, it will be seen that the casting 80 of FIGURE 2 may be received in the jig assembly as shown in FIGURE 4. The circular flange 81 rests on the top plate 46 with the dome portion 82 extending downwardly Within the cut out portion defined by the semicircular side walls 50 and 51 (FIGURE 1). The housing portion 83 is received between the sidewalls 52 and 53 (FIGURE 1) and the throat portion 84 of the casting is received between the sidewalls 55 and 56. With casting 80 positioned on the jig assembly it will be apparent that any gasketing or sealing materials adhering to the surfaces will be cleaned away by the rotating brushes as above-described with reference to the casting 75.

The casting 87 of FIGURE 2 likewise is receivable on thet jig asembly 45 as shown in FIGURE 5 without requiring adjustment or manipulation of the jig assembly or other structure of the apparatus. The casting 87 is positioned with the rectangular flange 88 resting on the top surface of the plate 46 so that the body portion 90 extends downwardly within the cut out portion defined by the sidewalls 50 and 51. The casting 8-7 may be positioned so that the tubular portions 91 (FIGURE 2) are receivable within the openings 61 and 62 (FIGURE 1) in the bar 60 for holding the casting against rotation when the casting is raised by the jig assembly into contact with the rotating brushes. It will be apparent that the gasket 89 and other sealing material will be cleaned from the surface of the flange 88 in the same manner as above-described with reference to the cleaning of the castings 75 and 80.

From the foregoing it will be appreciated that large numbers of meters may be cleaned in a minimum of time and expense. The previously utilized hand methods are eliminated with the result that the required removal, testing, and repair of the meters may be accomplished in a much more efiicient manner.

Various changes 'falling within the scope and spirit of the invention may occur to those skilled in the art. The invention is therefore not to be thought of as limited to the specific embodiment set forth.

What is claimed is:

1. An apparatus for removing extraneous material from a work, comprising in combination: frame means; jig means moveably mounted on said frame means for holding said work; at least one brush mounted on said frame means above said jig means for rotation about an individual axis; means for rotating said brush about said individual axis in concurrence with revolving said brush about a central vertical axis laterally displaced from said individual axis; and means for moving said jig means for positioning said work in contact with said brush, whereby extraneous material is removed from said work in response to rotation of said brush against said work.

2. The subject matter of claim 1, including a plurality of said brushes having individual axes positioned equidistantly from said central vertical axis, whereby said brushes rotate about their respective individual axes in concurrence with revolution about said central vertical axis.

3. An apparatus for removing extraneous material from a work, comprising in combination: jig means for holding said work; a plurality of rotatable brushes positioned above said jig means; means for rotating said plurality of brushes about a central vertical axis equidistantly spaced from each of said brushes, said means for rotating said brushes including inter-engaged means for individually rotating each of said brushes about its respective vertical axis in concurrence with revolution of said brushes about said central vertical axis; and means for moving said jig means vertically for positioning said work in contact with said plurality of brushes, whereby extraneous material is removed from said work in response to rotation of said brushes against said work.

4. The subject matter of claim 3, in which said means for rotating said brushes includes a rotatably driven shaft defining said central vertical axis; a circular plate secured to the bottom of said shaft for conjoint rotation; a stationary gear positioned around said shaft and about said plate; each of said brushes including a gear rotatably mounted on said plate in engagement with said stationary gear, whereby rotation of said shaft and plate in turn cause each of said gears to revolve around said stationary gear for rotating said brushes.

5. An apparatus for removing sealing gaskets and the like from surfaces of the castings of a gas meter, comprising in combination: frame means; jig means moveably mounted on said frame means for holding said castings; a plurality of rotatable brushes mounted on said frame means above said jig means; means for rotating said brushes about a central vertical axis equidistantly spaced from each of said brushes, said means for rotating said brushes including interengaged means for individually rotating each of said brushes about its respective vertical axis in concurrence with revolution of said brushes about said central vertical axis; and means for moving said jig means vertically for positioning said castings in contact with said brushes, whereby extraneous material is removed from said castings in response to rotation of said brushes against said castings.

6. The subject matter of claim 5, in which said means for rotating said brushes includes a rotatably driven shaft defining said central vertical axis; a circular plate secured to the bottom of said shaft for conjoint rotation; a stationary gear positioned around said shaft and above said plate; each of said brushes including a gear rotatably mountedon said plate in engagement with said stationary gear, whereby rotation of said shaft and plate in turn cause each of said gears to revolve around said stationary gear for rotating said brushes.

7. The subject matter of claim 5, in which said jig means includes a substantially horizontally disposed plate including a pair of opposed semicircular sidewall portions spaced to define a substantially circular cut out portion for receiving portions of a casting during a cleaning operation.

8. The subject matter of claim 7, in which said plate further includes spaced parallel sidewall portions defining a substantially rectangular cut out portion bisecting said circular cut out portion for receiving portions of a casting during a cleaning operation.

9. The subject matter of claim 7, in which said jig References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 8/1960 Caton 51120 6/1961 Clark 15-21X EDWARD L. ROBERTS, Primary Examiner.

US. Cl. X.R. 51l20 

